One-Pot Cheesy Taco Pasta with Ground Beef

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A quick and satisfying one-pot pasta combining the flavors of taco seasoning, ground beef, and melted cheese perfect for a family-friendly dinner. This Mexican-inspired pasta recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs ground beef, olive oil, onion for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Mexican cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat. Add 1 small diced onion and 2 minced garlic cloves. Sauté for 3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb ground beef to the skillet and cook for 6-8 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon until fully browned and no longer pink.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 2 tbsp dried taco seasoning and 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with green chilies. Cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 2 1/2 cups beef broth and add 12 oz penne pasta. Stir well, bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese until melted and creamy. Serve topped with 1/2 cup sour cream and 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro.

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